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UAMPS outlines portfolio, cautions on adding member generation into CAISO model; offers wildfire mitigation support

Hurricane City Council (staff briefing by UAMPS) · October 28, 2025

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Summary

UAMPS presented Hurricane’s 2024 resource mix and warned that adding internal generation to CAISO’s full network model requires studies, upgrades and could change transmission charges; staff also offered wildfire mitigation assistance to members.

UAMPS briefed Hurricane officials on resource composition, development options and operational tradeoffs for member internal generation (MIG).

Portfolio snapshot: Staff showed a 2024 energy mix for Hurricane in which a combined‑cycle natural gas plant (NEBO) accounted for roughly 42% of energy and daily market purchases (the "pool") represented about 31% of energy. UAMPS staff noted NEBO was on a planned outage at the time of the briefing and said reliance on a single large resource highlights the importance of portfolio diversity.

Development opportunities: UAMPS said it is pursuing two large natural‑gas projects, studying geothermal options in northern Utah, and evaluating battery deployments for strategic congestion relief. Staff also said the membership decided to suspend near‑term new wind development.

MIG and the CAISO full network model: Matt explained that member internal generation may remain outside the CAISO full network model (current Hurricane position), which preserves local scheduling control and avoids certain transmission charges. Entering the full network model requires a study (staff cited an approximate $10,000 deposit and an 18‑month process), meter and telemetry upgrades and may eliminate existing transmission credits; staff gave a staff estimate that moving into the full model could increase transmission exposure by roughly $75,000 for the example provided. Jackie and Crystal advised that entering is effectively a one‑way decision for the member under current rules.

Wildfire mitigation offering: Jackie described a program to help members develop wildfire mitigation plans and implement mitigation measures, including training and plans that may support members in legal and credit‑rating reviews. She noted liability and contagion risks observed in western wildfires and that having a wildfire plan can be favorably viewed by credit rating agencies.

Quotes: "If you don't have a wildfire mitigation plan, then that may be deemed to be a not prudent utility practice if you were to have a legal plan brought against you," Jackie said. Mason added: "My sort of bottom line is better to have a plan and follow it."

What council should expect: Staff said the CAISO/PacifiCorp study results and parallel settlement tests in January will allow better cost comparisons, and that if Hurricane chooses later to enter the full network model the city would need to budget for study, metering and potential transmission‑charge changes.